What does it take to keep moving when everything inside you wants to quit? This week I sit down with Jon Sheldon, Marine Corps veteran, leadership coach, and founder of BelleauWood Coaching. Although Jon doesn't coach ultrarunners, the principles he teaches apply directly to running, business, leadership, and life. We dive into the mental side of performance: Why you have to count the cost before chasing big goals. How to build resilience before adversity arrives. The difference between motivation and discipline. Creating decision filters for high-pressure situations. Why elite performers simplify their thinking when things get hard. Lessons from military leadership that translate directly to ultrarunning. Whether you're training for your first marathon, your first 100 miler, or simply trying to become more disciplined in everyday life, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. Episode Highlights The hidden cost behind every meaningful goal Why mindset matters more than motivation Building discipline that lasts How Marines prepare for difficult situations The "Intent • Inspect • Initiate" framework Decision filters for difficult moments Why gratitude can become a performance tool Training your mind before race day Presented by Mount to Coast This episode is brought to you by Mount to Coast. I've been putting their shoes through hundreds of training miles and have been genuinely impressed with both the R1 Road Shoe and the T1 Trail Shoe. They're comfortable right out of the box, incredibly durable, and built specifically for endurance runners. Save 10% with code: RIOT10 Check them out: https://mounttocoast.com Discount Code: RIOT10 Connect with Jon Sheldon Website: https://belleauwood.coach Instagram: @belleauwood_coaching Connect with Run the Riot Website: https://www.theriot.run Coaching: https://www.theriot.run/coaching-services YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@runtheriot Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtheriot Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runtheriot

Sometimes an ultramarathon is about much more than the finish line. In this episode of the Run the Riot Podcast, I sit down with ultrarunner Matt Lamos to talk about how running became the catalyst for rebuilding his life after a difficult season, why suffering on the trail teaches lessons that carry into everyday life, and how his daughter inspired him to create a nonprofit that's changing lives. Matt shares how he went from never wanting to run a marathon to chasing 100-mile races, backyard ultras, and mountain adventures. Along the way he discovered that the hardest miles often reveal the strongest parts of who we are. One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation centers around Down With Running, a nonprofit created to help individuals with special needs pursue physical goals that many people assume are impossible. Whether you're training for your first ultramarathon, preparing for your next 100-miler, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward in life, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration. In This Episode Matt's unexpected path into ultrarunning How 75 Hard introduced him to endurance sports Lessons learned from his first 50K and first 100-mile race Why every ultrarunner needs a powerful "why" What backyard ultras teach about perseverance Running through suffering—and choosing to continue How ultrarunning translates into everyday life The inspiration behind Down With Running Parenting a daughter with Down syndrome Creating opportunities for athletes with special needs Why community matters more than finishing times Matt's upcoming Superior 100 and future fundraising adventures One Quote That Stuck With Me "You always have more left in the tank than you think." That simple idea comes up throughout this conversation. Running has a way of proving that our limits are often farther away than we imagine. Connect with Matt Website:https://www.downwithrunning.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlamos https://www.instagram.com/downwithrunning Facebook: Down With Running Matt Lamos Learn More About Run the Riot Coaching If you're training for your first ultramarathon or chasing a new personal best, I'd love to help. Coaching:https://www.theriot.run/coaching Website:https://www.theriot.run Listen & Subscribe If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another runner who could use the reminder that big goals are built one step at a time.

In this Midweek Motivation, we explore the importance of knowing when to back off in your training. Sometimes, the challenge isn't about pushing harder, but about listening to your body and making smart decisions. Key takeaways: * Recognize when to rest: Pushing through pain can lead to injury. * Consistency over time builds fitness: One missed workout won't derail your progress. * Modify your plan: Adapting your training can still lead to success. * Wisdom in training: Sometimes, backing off today allows for better performance tomorrow. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 The challenge of knowing when to back off 01:22 Listening to your body 03:05 The importance of consistency 05:03 Adapting your training plan 07:25 The balance of pushing and resting 10:46 The wisdom of long-term goals 12:14 Making decisions based on wisdom What's your biggest challenge with balancing training and rest? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for weekly motivation and insights on running and training! #MidweekMotivation #RunningTips #ListenToYourBody

As temperatures rise and summer training settles in, many runners find themselves asking the same question: "Why am I so much slower than I was a few months ago?" In this Midweek Motivation episode of the Run the Riot Podcast, ultrarunner and ultrarunning coach David Theriot shares an important reminder for every runner grinding through the heat and humidity: the work you're doing now is building the fitness you'll rely on later. With Western States just around the corner and many runners preparing for fall marathons, trail races, 50Ks, 100 milers, and 200-mile ultra racing adventures, it's easy to focus on race-day performances and finish-line celebrations. What we don't see are the countless training miles, early mornings, difficult workouts, and uncomfortable summer runs that make those moments possible. David explores why summer training often feels discouraging, why pace can be a misleading metric during hot-weather running, and how endurance fitness is built beneath the surface long before the results become visible. In This Episode Why heat and humidity slow every runner down The difference between effort and pace during summer training How ultrarunning fitness develops over time Why consistency beats intensity The "summer deposit" mindset for endurance athletes Lessons from Western States and elite ultra racing Building earned confidence through the training process How today's choices create tomorrow's race-day success One of the biggest mistakes runners make is expecting immediate results. Endurance sports don't work that way. The long run you complete today may not reveal its value until mile 18 of your marathon, mile 75 of your 100-miler, or deep into your next ultrarunning adventure. Every run is a deposit. Every early morning matters. Every hot, uncomfortable mile is helping build the runner you'll become. Whether you're training for your first race, chasing a personal best, preparing for a 100-mile finish, or tackling your next ultra racing challenge, this episode is a reminder to trust the process and keep showing up. The fitness you're building today may not be visible yet—but it's there. Work with Run the Riot Coaching Looking for guidance on your next race, ultrarunning goal, or endurance challenge? David Theriot provides personalized coaching for runners of all experience levels, from first-time trail runners to experienced ultrarunners preparing for ultras. Learn more about coaching here: http://www.theriot.run/coaching Listen, Watch, and Connect Website:http://www.theriot.run YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@runtheriot

Big goals are heavy. In this Midweek Motivation episode, David Theriot shares what training for the Bigfoot 200 is really feeling like about 75 days out from race day. The miles are increasing, life is still moving fast, and the challenge is becoming more than just physical. This episode is an honest look at balancing ultramarathon training with work, family, coaching, recovery, faith, and everyday responsibilities. David talks about squeezing runs into crowded schedules, getting miles in before sunrise during softball tournaments, and learning that discipline often matters more than motivation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed chasing a big goal, this episode will remind you that growth often happens when life is heavy and you choose not to put the goal down. Topics include: Bigfoot 200 training Discipline vs motivation Balancing life and running Mental toughness Consistency and sacrifice Ultramarathon mindset Why big goals carry weight Key quote from the episode:“Sometimes pursuing a goal means doing inconvenient things in inconvenient places at inconvenient times.” Thanks for listening to the Run the Riot Podcast.If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave a review to help more runners find the show.

In this episode, David Theriot shares insights on pushing through the middle of challenges, using the analogy of running a race to motivate listeners to stay consistent and disciplined in their pursuits. http://www.theriot.run

This week the mileage is going up. More running. More lifting. A midweek double. Early mornings when it would be easier to stay in bed. And if I’m being honest… it’s inconvenient. That’s the part most people don’t talk about. We all like the idea of big goals—running your first ultra, pushing further than you ever have, proving something to yourself. But what those goals actually require? That’s where most people hesitate. In this episode, I break down what it really looks like to train when life is already full—and why waiting for the “right time” is usually what keeps people stuck. If you’ve been thinking about going after something big but aren’t sure how it fits into your life… this one is for you. What You’ll Learn: Why inconvenience—not ability—is what holds most runners back The difference between “fitting training in” vs building life around a goal How to stay consistent when your schedule is already full Why big goals require uncomfortable adjustments A mindset shift that changes how you approach hard days Key Takeaways Big goals demand intentional structure—not leftover time Your life won’t clear space for your training—you have to create it Discipline shows up when it’s inconvenient Growth is built through repeated, consistent effort The work you don’t feel like doing is often the most important Faith Focus: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Luke 16:10 Faithfulness in the small, unseen moments builds the foundation for bigger things. Coaching: If you’re ready to: Run your first or furthest ultra Stop guessing and follow a real plan Stay consistent when training gets hard Check out coaching:https://www.theriot.run/coaching-services/ Connect: Website: https://www.theriot.run Share: Know someone waiting for the “right time” to start? Send this to them. Closing Thought: The goal doesn’t adjust to your comfort. You adjust to the goal. Take one more step.

That voice will show up. “Just give up.” In this episode, David shares a real, honest moment from a sleepless night filled with worry—and the familiar whisper that tries to convince us to quit. Whether it’s in the middle of a long run or a difficult season of life, the battle is often not physical—it’s mental. Drawing on years of ultrarunning experience, this episode breaks down: Why that voice sounds so reasonable How it shows up in both running and life What happens when we start agreeing with it And how to push forward even when you don’t feel strong Anchored by a quote from Babe Ruth: “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” This is a reminder that you don’t have to eliminate the voice—you just have to stop listening to it. Key Takeaways The urge to quit usually starts as a quiet, reasonable thought Mental endurance matters more than physical strength You don’t need motivation to keep going—you need a decision Strength often shows up after you take the next step Refusing to quit builds resilience in running and life Quotes from this Episode “The race is not against the distance. It’s against that voice.” “You don’t win by feeling strong. You win by deciding not to quit.” “Don’t agree with the voice.” “Take one more step.” Resources & Links Website: https://www.theriot.run Coaching: https://www.theriot.run/coaching-services/ If this encouraged you, share it with a friend, training partner, or someone going through a tough season. Final Thought You don’t need to have it all figured out today. Just don’t agree with the voice. Take one more step.

In this episode, David shares insights from his recent 50K race, emphasizing the importance of showing up regardless of conditions, testing yourself, and building discipline over perfection. He discusses how consistency in training and life leads to long-term growth and success. Keywords: motivation, consistency, training, discipline, life lessons, running, mindset, growth, showing up, long-term success Key topics: The mindset of showing up regardless of conditions Training as a deposit, not just a race Identity not tied to performance The long-term perspective in growth and success Discipline and consistency in life and running Not every race is about winning; some are deposits in your growth Your identity is not defined by your performance Showing up when you don't feel like it builds discipline Long-term success is built on consistent effort, not perfect days You don't need the perfect run to make progress

In this episode of Run the Riot, David sits down with Ryane Broussard, a driven runner, mom of four, and woman of faith who chased one goal for nearly two decades: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. But Ryane’s path wasn’t a straight line. After a sudden back injury left her unable to feel or control her left leg, doctors told her she’d need to find a new hobby and stop running. Ryane refused to accept that as the final word. What followed was years of rehab, identity rebuilding, and learning what perseverance really looks like—until she finally put it all together on race day and earned her Boston qualifier. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for any ultrarunner (or anyone training for marathons, ultrarunning, or ultra racing) who’s faced setbacks, self-doubt, or the weight of a long-term goal. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Ryane’s start in sports (including lacrosse) and how competition shaped her mindset Moving from Texas to South Louisiana and finding a running community The back injury that changed everything (and the hard season that followed) Doctors said “no more running”—how Ryane approached recovery anyway Identity shifts: when running becomes who you are (and how to reset it) The Boston qualifier chase: flu, self-sabotage, vomiting at mile 19, and trying again The power of words, self-talk, and what you “partner with” mentally Why community matters: pacers, training partners, and people who believe with you How she fits training into real life: faith, marriage, kids, work, then running Key Moments Starting point: sports background + love of achievement Back injury + surgery: the moment everything changed Rehab reality: relearning basic movement and rebuilding confidence The Boston goal: 30 marathons, setbacks, and alignment on race day The win: qualifying—and keeping it in the right place Practical Takeaways for Runners Race-day alignment matters: sleep, health, weather, and fueling can make or break the day Mindset is trainable: negative self-talk can sabotage fitness you’ve already earned Fueling is personal: don’t introduce “new” habits (like NSAIDs) without understanding the cost Build a support system: a coach, a pacer, and training partners can carry you when your brain gets loud Keep running in its place: what you do isn’t who you are—especially when setbacks hit Races Mentioned in the Episode Louisiana Summer Nights 50K/ultra effort Zydeco Marathon Stennis Marathon Boston Marathon qualifying standards shift